OFFICE OF GOVERNOR
MARY FALLIN

Bills
providing pay increases for school support staff, state employees also approved

OKLAHOMA CITY – Governor Mary Fallin today signed the $2.9 billion appropriation bill
for common education for the upcoming 2019 fiscal year. The funding authorized
in House Bill (HB) 3705 marks a 19.7 percent increase over the $2.4 billion appropriation
bill for K-12 public education for the current fiscal year, which ends June 30.

This is
only the second time that legislators approved an appropriation bill for public
schools by the required April 1 education funding deadline since 2003 when the
requirement was put in place.

“I’m
pleased to sign this bill that provides a significant increase in spending for
our public school system,” said Fallin. “I’m hoping this additional funding
will result in improved K-12 public school results. Our job as a state is to
empower our students, parents and teachers to succeed by setting the bar high
and challenging each other to succeed.

“Improving
the quality and outcomes in education is the single-most important thing we can
do to attract and retain jobs, alleviate poverty, and help Oklahomans have
fulfilling and productive lives,” she said. “For many, education is the best
and only path out of poverty.”

The $2.9 billion funding
contained in HB 3705 includes $353.5 million for teacher pay; $52 million for support
personnel pay: $33 million for textbooks: $17 million for the state aid formula;
and $24.7 million for flex health care benefits.

The total increase in
common education funding for the 2019 fiscal year is $480.2 million.

Fallin
also signed HB 1026XX, which provides a $1,250 annual increase in pay for
school support personnel.

In
addition, the governor signed HB 1024XX, which provides a tiered pay raise for
state employees. State workers earning $40,000 or less would get a $2,000 raise;
those being paid $40,000 to $50,000 would get a $1,500 raise. Meanwhile, those
making $50,000 - $60,000 would get a $1,000 raise and those earning $60,000 or
more would get a $750 raise.

All three measures take effect July 1, the start of the state’s 2019 fiscal
year.

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Governor Mary Fallin signs House Bill 3705, the $2.9 billion appropriation bill
for common education for the upcoming 2019 fiscal year. The amount authorized
in the measure is a 19.7 percent increase over the $2.4 billion appropriation
bill for K-12 public education for the current fiscal year.